CALGARY – The unfamiliar scent of transition is in the air at the West Varsity Pitch for the 2011 season, but a strong mix of veterans and newcomers have the University of Calgary Dinos expecting no signs of regression in Canada West.

For the first time in 17 years there will be a different leader patrolling the sidelines for the Dinos women's soccer team as Matt Shepherd takes over for long-time head coach Robin Slot. Shepherd, a native Australian, takes over a team that went 6-5-3 in a bruising Canada West, finishing in sixth and out of the playoffs a year ago.

Notwithstanding the inevitable adjustment to a new coach, two of the more recognizable faces of the women's program over the past five years - Lindsay Burrowes and Morena Ianniello - graduated last spring. For some teams this loss of leadership might be a crippling blow to recover from, but the Dinos have the personnel in place to make a smooth changeover.

Coach Shepherd will be looking at his fifth-year seniors, Caitlin Milne and Saaraa Premji among others, to guide the team as they move forward. Milne, a second team Canada West All-Star as a fullback, sports a versatility that is as impressive as her defensive talents, while Premji brings a type of enthusiasm and work ethic that coaches dream of as a model for their young players.

One cannot overlook the return of offensive sensation Tessa Miller as well, who returns for her fourth year. Miller, who tied for first in points in Canada West in 2010 with 14, placed fifth with Canada at the Summer Universiade in Shenzhen, China in August.

Shepherd's first list of recruits is vast, and includes the likes of Calgarian Robyn Dutton, formerly of the UCLA Bruins of the NCAA and a product of the Canadian national team system. Fellow Calgarians, Victoria Moretti and Alex Briere, among others, fill out the recruiting class.

In terms of expectations for the year, the rookie coach is realistic and optimistic about what lies ahead.

“This is a year of transition,” said Shepherd. “With a new coach and different approach, it does take time to bed down new ideas and philosophy in practical terms.

“That being said, the team has probably had more preparation than in recent years, so I expect them to gain confidence from this and approach the season with high expectations.”

The Dinos kick off their season against the Saskatchewan Huskies and Alberta Pandas, respectively, on Saturday and Sunday this weekend with the annual prairie road trip. Calgary's home opener goes Saturday, Sept. 17 when they host the Lethbridge Pronghorns.

-UC-